NHS leaders concerned about plans to scrap remaining COVID guidance
Lateral flow tests would no longer be free under new rules
Senior staff working in NHS trusts in England are concerned over the government's plan to scrap all remaining COVID guidance.
Over 300 NHS leaders were surveyed about the government's position, of which 79% strongly disagreed with the plan to stop free access to lateral flow tests, currently available at pharmacies.
Ministers have suggested that free antigen tests would go at the end of this month when the Prime Minister unveils his 'Living With Covid' strategy on Monday.
As well as this, there is speculation whether self-isolation rules would be entirely thrown out, which three quarters of NHS leaders were opposed to.
Face coverings are now voluntary in England following the end of the government's "Covid Plan B" for winter, but NHS staff argue that face coverings should remain in place in hospitals and care homes.
When asked about what could change in Boris Johnson's new strategy, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said that "the protections we have enjoyed over the past few months" need to be "reviewed".
But NHS leaders are pleading for a more cautious approach, citing that any rash change in policy could lead to the development of another new variant.
Chief executive of the NHS Confederation, Matthew Taylor, said that despite the success of the vaccine programme, now is not the time to end what is keeping us safe.
"With the success of the vaccine and new Covid treatments, this offers real hope as we learn to live with the virus," he said.
"But the Government cannot wave a magic wand and pretend the threat has disappeared entirely.
"A lot is at stake for the NHS's recovery ambitions if the Government is too gung-ho in its plans for exiting the pandemic, which is why health leaders are calling for a cautious and evidence-led approach. This must not be driven by political expediency," he added.
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